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It appears the Bengals will get two key players back in the lineup for the first time this preseason when the team plays at Arizona this Sunday in a "dress rehearsal" game.

Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said defensive tackle Geno Atkins, who didn't play in either of the first two preseason games as he slowly returns from knee surgery, will likely play a couple of series, while offensive tackle Andre Smith participated in his second straight practice, which is a good sign that he will play on Sunday, too.

Atkins was seen participating in some position drills with defensive line starters Carlos Dunlap, Domata Peko and Wallace Gilberry during the 30-minute period of practice that was open to the media on Wednesday, and Guenther said Atkins then took part in some 11-on-11 teams sessions, too.

"I think he's going to go a couple of series with the first group (on Sunday)," said Guenther. "It will be good to have all 11 (projected starters) out there at once. Having him back is a huge deal for us. It's good to see him back. He definitely makes a difference in there. He did a fair amount. He looked good. Everything is coming along as planned."

Head coach Marvin Lewis had said during his press conference before practice began that Atkins could "potentially" play on Sunday and that even if he doesn't that he is still on pace to start the regular-season opener in Baltimore on Sept. 7.

"Everyone goes through a process and progression," said Lewis. "Guys heal at their own pace and I think in the mental process it's always going to be at their own pace, but he's been good. Nick (Cosgray, who is the team's director of rehabilitation) felt great about him the week before training camp where he was so we've been able to use this time and get him more confident with the football aspect of it. Geno Atkins can push Nick Cosgray around the field all day long and it's not going to be the same. The football aspect he had to get used to and we've been able to do that and go slow with it knowing not only his value to the football team, but his value moving forward. I'm not going to paint myself into a corner and say he's got to play 57 snaps this week or else he's not going to be ready, because we're going to work with it how we judge is the best way through it."

Smith, who missed the first two preseason games due to the NFL's concussion protocol, practiced on Monday and was seen working with the first-team offense in an 11-on-11 session on Wednesday during the opening media time.

Smith said in the locker room before Wednesday's practice that he's hoping to play on Sunday.

"That's up to Marvin," said Smith. "It's going to definitely be good to get your feet and get the rust off. You've been competing against your teammates so you know their moves inside out. You want something new, something you weren't expecting. It's good to go against a different opponent."

Smith said the conditioning aspect of playing in a game is important.

"I would much rather have a game to work on those things," said Smith. "You need to get tired at least one time in a preseason game to really blow your lungs out. That's going to be one the key things to take out of the preseason is just getting really tired to know what to expect in the regular season during a 13-14 play drive. There's nothing like game reps."